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Averages for Malta in July

Weather lowdown

July and August are the two hottest months of the year in Malta, and on average July is the driest and sunniest, although every month from May to August is usually reliably dry and sunny. Temperatures are generally hot, with a mean maximum at Luqa Airport of 31°C and the mean overnight minimum of 21°C, which combined with fairly high humidity can make sleeping tricky overnight, though it also means that the weather is usually good for outdoor activities during evenings and overnight.

Excessive heat is quite rare but, when southerly winds suck up hot air from northern Africa, notable heatwaves can arise. July 2012 was one example of an unusually hot month, when the temperature climbed as high as 40.7°C on the 11th. In July 2009, it became even hotter on the 25th July with a maximum of 41.6°C. This was not quite a record, because on the 9th July 1988, the temperature soared as high as 42.7°C.

The mean monthly precipitation total is only 0.4mm during July, and there are only 0.4 days during an average July with measurable precipitation, implying that most Julys pass by entirely rain-free.

July is the sunniest month of the year on average, with a mean monthly total of 366 hours which equates to just under 12 hours per day. Despite the drought and sunshine, the relative humidity remains fairly high thanks to moisture from the surrounding seas, with a mean of 69%. The sea temperature climbs to approximately 24°C during July, which makes swimming, diving and snorkelling quite attractive at this time of year.

Dates for the diary

In July Malta hosts the Malta Art Festival is held in various locations, including the St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta and the Mediterranean Conference Centre. You can enjoy a wider-than-usual range of art exhibits during this event, some of which are free. The Farsons Beer Festival takes place during the back end of July at Ta’Qali and is a 10-day festival featuring a range of musical performances, entertainment and activities, and of course plenty of beer.

Things to do

Marsovin at Wills Street, Marsa is the primary producer of premium Maltese wine, which has a reputation for producing very high-quality wines, partly because of the Maltese climate but also partly because of strict standards that are applied to the vinification processes. By popping by at their headquarters you can find out about the process of making the wines, including how grapes are chosen and picked, and the process of making the wines and packaging them, and visitors may be shown the main cave in which the wines are processed. Visitors can try out some of the wines, as well as purchasing some if desired. There are also 2-hour tours offered that give the opportunity to see 400-year-old cellars and tutored testing of five different types of wine.

July is also a good time of year to try sailing. The Royal Malta Yacht Club situated at Ta' Xbiex Seafront organises frequent yacht races, as well as occasionally arranging non-competitive cruises. The main club house includes a dining area and lounge bar, and a fitness room with changing rooms. Those who would prefer a relaxing sailing trip can consider Sail Gozo, situated at Mgarr Marina, Mgarr, Island of Gozo, which offers trips around the beaches of Comino and Gozo, on a luxury Beneteau 473 yacht. Food and drink and snorkelling equipment are provided as part of the trip.

Where to eat & drink

Malta has many good restaurants and whatever your tastes are, chances are there will be somewhere good to cater for them. Ta’ Duminka at Main Street 150, Mosta serves mainly Mediterranean-themed cuisine, and its rabbit menu options are particularly well-received by most customers. A good restaurant for British-style pub food, and also some good pizzas, is the Little Waster Bar at Triq it, Qawra.

The Coach and Horses at Valley Road, Msida, is a good bet for live music, and during evenings the bar regularly hosts musical performances via a DJ. You can enjoy a good range of snacks and bar meals, broadcasts of major sporting events and free wi-fi at Balluta Bar at 186 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema.

Hit the beach

July is the most popular time of year for tourists to flock to the beaches at Malta, and consequently, they can become quite crowded. One of the most popular beaches is the Golden Sands beach which is situated 4km from the St Paul’s Bay area, and can be accessed from St Paul’s Bay via a 15 minute bus ride. It is particularly suitable for sunbathing, and for swimming in the nearby seas.

Armier Bay and Little Armier features good beaches for sunbathing and also swimming in the nearby seas, and some casual eating facilities. These bays are popular for picnics and barbeques, especially at this time of year.

Where to stay

Malta boasts a wide range of attractive accommodation options. One good, if expensive, option is the Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, which is situated on a peninsula close to Paceville and Silema, making it ideally-placed for access to nearby attractions. The Palace at the High Street, Sliema, offers good 5-star accommodation and is particularly suitable for a romantic retreat. The Chapel 5 Palazzo Suites B&B at 5 Saint Lucy Street, Naxxar is a highly-rated 4-star boutique B&B located away from the hustle-bustle of the main resorts.

For those on a limited budget, Villa del Porto at Marina Street 1, Kalkara is quite a good budget B&B, while for those who prefer self-catering outlets, Old Theatre Lane at Valletta offers stunning sea views and a range of good en-site facilities.